London, ON, June 15, 2021 – The Western Fair Association’s Board of Governors and management team announced today that the 146th Western Fair which was scheduled to take place this Fall from September 10 – 19 has been cancelled.
The Western Fair is one of many across the country that has chosen to cancel in 2021 due to the lingering pandemic and relaunch in 2022. Although encouraging to see the province begin its three-phase re-opening strategy, the timing of it makes it impossible to plan and execute the traditional Western Fair.
“It was a tremendously difficult decision to cancel our signature event for a second consecutive year,” said CEO Reg Ash. “But, given the current timelines, we felt this was the right decision in consideration of the health and safety of our staff and community as well as the uncertainty that exists around when, and to what extent, mass gatherings will be permitted at that time.”
“While we may have been permitted to run some elements of the fair, we will not be able to produce the Western Fair the way in which we have been entrusted to do so by our community, and those that built it. We are encouraged by the trends in both caseloads and vaccinations that we will be able to confidently start planning for the 2022 Fair. We are truly excited about welcoming the community back to the site.”
Although the traditional fair will not take place, the team at Western Fair is committed to keeping the spirit alive with several fun events planned, both online and in person.
The 2021 Creative Arts competition has just launched and will once again be done online this year. It offers great prizing and is a fun way to show off your submissions with friends and family this summer! The annual Rise 2 Fame youth talent competition, showcasing the best in up-and-coming performers from across the province, has also been launched online here.
Registration will open soon for virtual school tours – the ultimate agriculture resource library. Teachers and home schoolers can register until early September for tons of fun, informative, and educational agri-food content.
‘Park It at the Market’, an annual summer night-market in The District, will take on a Fair theme for the month of September, providing in-person activities focussed on some of the traditional fair elements like local music, food, and entertainment. And back by popular demand, Fair Food Boxes will provide an opportunity for some sweet treats and savoury treats and a last blast of summer fun.
There will be some surprises mixed in as well with more announcements to come in the weeks ahead. Details are available at westernfair.ca and on our various social media channels.
Those who had purchased advanced tickets to the 2021 Western Fair will be issued refunds and should receive them before July 31.
Message from our CEO
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CONTACT:
Greg Blanchard
Director of Marketing & Media Communications
Ph: 519-636-1477
